MEMORISE
But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel I said to Peter before them all, "If you, being a Jew, live in the manner of Gentiles and not as the Jews, why do you compel Gentiles to live as Jews? (Galatians 2:14)
READ:
Galatians 2:11-19
[11]. Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed;
[12]. for before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision.
[13]. And the rest of the Jews also played the hypocrite with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy.
[14]. But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before them all, “If you, being a Jew, live in the manner of Gentiles and not as the Jews, why do you compel Gentiles to live as Jews?
[15]. We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,
[16]. knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.
[17]. “But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is Christ therefore a minister of sin? Certainly not!
[18]. For if I build again those things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.
[19]. For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God.
EXPOSITION
So many people easily forget God's goodness and graciousness in their lives when faced with fear-inducing situations. Peter was faced with a similar experience. He had been going in and out with the gentiles before the arrival of some Jewish brethren. Then, he withdrew. That is double standard, and is unacceptable in the faith. Thank God for the fearless Paul who noticed it, and *...withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed* (Gal. 2:11). It shouldn't have been Peter; someone who had been convinced of the Lord's standpoint on the gentiles by reason of the vision he received in Acts 10:9-16. Nothing describes Peter's behaviour here than inconsistency. How consistent are you with the Truth?
*But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel...* (Gal. 2:14a). Imagine Peter and some other disciples not being straightforward. This is the true state of many Christians. They are so shallow in their Christian lives that they compromise in the face of the mildest challenge, even those meant to promote them. They are jelly-like Christians. Daniel and his 3 Hebrew friends weren't like that (Dan. 3:8-25; 6:10-17).
Consistency makes Paul's conviction in Romans 8:31-33. You are consistent in your faith in Christ Jesus when you are standing on the true Word of God, and striving to convince people based on that truth (1 Cor. 15:58). Be consistent!
SUGGESTED HYMN FOR TODAY:
CAC GHB 833
1. Nearer, my God to Thee,
Nearer to Thee!
E'en though it be a cross
That raiseth me,
Still all my song shall be.
Nearer, my God to Thee!
Nearer to Thee!
2. Though like the wanderer,
The sun gone down.
Darkness be over me,
My rest a stone.
Yet in my dreams I'd be
Nearer, my God to Thee!
Nearer to Thee!
3. There let the way appear
Step unto heaven;
All that Thou send'st to me
In mercy given:
Angels to beckon me
Nearer, my God, to Thee.
Nearer to Thee!
4. Then, with my waking thoughts
Bright with Thy praise,
Out of my story griefs
Bethel I'll raise
So by my woes to be
Nearer, my God, to Thee!
Nearer to Thee!
5. Or if on joyful wing
Cleaving the sky,
Sun, moon, and stars forget,
Upwards I fly,
Still all my song shall be,
Nearer, my God to Thee!
Nearer to Thee!
Amen.
PRAYER POINTS
1. I refuse to make shipwreck of my faith through inconsistent and unstraightforward living, in Jesus' name.
2. Help me, Lord, to stand by the truth, and live by it, in Jesus' name.
3. Lord, make believers bold and fearless to challenge every opposition and whatever that wants to make mess of our faith in Christ Jesus.
EXTRA READING FOR TODAY:
Luke 6:27-8:25
AUTHOR
CAC Worldwide
Remain blessed
 DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE DATE: Sunday, October 29, 2023 TOPIC: BE CONSISTENT!){kind=link}